Heavy duty trailer with elevating deck



p l 27, 1954 L. J. ROGERS 2,676,783

HEAVY DUTY TRAILER WITH ELEVATING DECK Fileg Feb. 24, 1951 3Sheefcs-Sheet l INENTOR.

April 27, 1954 Filed Feb. 24, 1951 L. J. ROGERS HEAVY DUTY TRAILER WITHELEVATING DECK 3 Sheets$heet 2 INVEMOR.

April 27, '1 L. J. ROGEFS HEAVY DUTY TRAILER WITH ELEVATING DECK FiledFeb. 24, 1951 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 llilli lPlAlllIl [\I H INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 27, 1954 HEAVY DUTY TRAILER WITH ELEVATING DECK Louis J.Rogers, Albion, Pa.,assignor to Rogers Brothers Corporation, Albion,Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application February 24, 1951, SerialNo. 212,599

2 Claims.

This invention relates to heavy duty low bed trailers such as the heavyduty trailer disclosed in the copending application of Hugh L. Rogers,Serial No. 129,614, filed November '26, 1949, now Patent No. 2,590,210.

Heavy duty low bed trailers of the general character described are usedfor hauling extremely heavy loads and, due to problems of loading andunloading, stability of the loaded trailer, limitations of overheadclearance by bridges and the like, the bed of the trailer is kept as lowas possible consistent with adequate size and carrying capacity ofwheels. Frequently, it happens that the load is to be discharged fromthe load carrying deck of the trailer onto a platform or Vehicle, theelevation of which is considerably above the level of the load carryingdeck of the trailer.

For example, in the present state of development of airplane freighttransportation, it is a frequent practice to carry heavy duty equipment,such as bulldozers and the like, in the-airplanes, particularly underwar conditions. However,-the doors of the freight carrying planes areusually quite. limited in size and overhead clearance and the likewithin'the plane also are quite limited. Likewise, the lower limit ofthe door of a freight carrying plane of such capacity is a substantialdistance off ground and at an elevation greater than is practical forthe deck of heavy duty trailers of the character described. Due to theseand other factors, it is generally necessary to elevate the load in somemanner so that the base on which the load rests is substantially at thelevel of the lower limit of the door of the airplane, and to support theload at such elevation with its base substantially level so that it canbe moved through the door without tilting.

Heretofore, it has been necessary to block up such load on the trailerdeck to the required level before moving the lcadfrom its support intothe airplane. Y

' The present invention is concerned With a low bed trailer of thegeneral character described having an elevating load carrying deckmounted on-the usual bed or load carrying frame and on which the load iscarried, the deck being arranged to be moved vertically to an elevatedposition above the frame while maintained substantially horizontal.

More specifically, the invention relates to a trailer having a loadcarrying frame with supporting wheels near the rear thereof and agooseneck supporting the other end of the frame and adapted to rest uponand be connected to the rear of the tractor by the u'sualfifth wheel, anelevat ing deck on the frame, power operated extensible compressionmeans operatively interconnecting the frame and deck so as to raise andlower the deck, selectively, relative to the frame, and means tomaintain the deck in horizontal position and in vertical alignment withits starting position during raising and lowering. If desired, forconvenience in loading onto the deck, the gooseneck may be detachablyconnected to the trailer in a manner fully disclosed .in the copendingapplication of Hugh L. Rogers, above identified, now Patent No.2,590,210.

More specifically, the invention comprises an elevating deck adapted torest upon the trailer frame and provided with three independentlycontrollable hoists which interconnect the deck and frame and arelocated at widely separated positions with respect to each other so asto provide a three-point elevating support for the deck by which it .canbe elevated and maintained horizontal during elevation, suitable meansbeing provided to maintain the deck in longitudinal and lateralalignment with its starting position during lifting and lowering.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent inthe following description, wherein reference is mad to the drawings inwhich:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a detachable gooseneck type of trailerembodying the principles of the present invention, the detachablegooseneck being shown connected on a tractor and detached from thetrailer so that the trailer can be loaded over the front end;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the gooseneck attached tothe forward end of the trailer and elevated to normal load carryingposition by an extensible compression means on th gooseneck;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing the supplemental deck inelevated position;

ig. 4 is a cross sectional view of the trailer illustrated in Fig. l, asindicated by the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional View of the trailer with the supplementaldeck elevated, as indicated by the line 5-5 in Fig. 3; r

Fig. 6 is a sectional View taken on the line 66 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a flow diagram showing the manner of supplying power to thegooseneck hoists and the hoists for the supplemental deck;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the trailerillustrated in Fig. 1, part of the supplemental deck being broken awayfor clearness in illustration; and

Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the structure shown in Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, the trailer comprises essentially a main orload carrying frame, indicated generally at I, formed preferably by twomain longitudinal sills 2, connected together by suitable transversebeams 3 and 4 and a transverse wheel supporting or walking beam 5.

Connected to the walking beam 5 are longitudinal wheel supporting beams6 which are arranged to rock about an axis extending transversely of theframe. Mounted on the forward and rearward ends of each beam 6 are theusual pairs of wheels which are adapted to rock about the axi of theirassociated wheel supporting beams 6.

The trailer may have a permanently attached gooseneck or a detachablegooseneck. The detachable gooseneck type, such as described in the aboveidentified application, Serial No. 129,614, filed November 26, 1949, nowPatent No. 2,590,210, is shown for illustration. In this type theforward end of the longitudinal sills 2 are provided with downwardlyfacing coupling members 1 which are arranged to interengage withsuitable coupling members, not shown, at the lower rear portion of adetachable gooseneck 8. These coupling members are arranged so that,with the forward end of the frame l lowered close to the ground andbelow normal load carrying position, the gooseneck 8 can be moved todispose its coupling member beneath the coupling mem her I forconnection therewith upon limited upward movement of the rear portion ofthe gooseneck 8, and for lifting the forward end of the frame I by thegooseneck 8 upon continued up ward movement of the gooseneck. Thegooseneck 8 has a forwardly extending portion 9 which is adapted forconnection to a fifth wheel ID on the rear of a tractor T 50 as to rockabout the transverse axis I l of the fifth wheel 10.

At the rear the gooseneck 8 is provided with extensible compressionmeans [2 which may be in the form of double actin hydraulic piston andcylinder assemblages, each assemblage comprising a cylinder 13 connectedto the gooseneck 8 at the rear thereof so as to depend therefrom, and apiston l4 mounted in the cylinder. The piston It is provided with aground engaging foot [5 whereby, by operation of the extensiblecompression means l2, the rear of the gooseneck 8 can be elevated toengage its coupling member with the coupling member l and to elevate theforward end of the trailer frame 1. If desired, a supplemental pistonand cylinder assemblage 16 may be provided on the forward portion of thegooseneck, the assemblage l6 havin its cylinder I! connected to thgooseneck and its piston i8 engaging the rear of the tractor frame. Thissupplemental piston and cylinder assemblage It is provided for liftingthe gooseneck a considerable distance above the ground when it isdisconnected from the trailer so that it can be moved out of the way bythe tractor.

The structure thus far described, except for the assemblage I6, isdisclosed in the above identified pending application and forms no partof the present invention. However, it is desirable in connection withthe present invention because exceedingly heavy loads are to be handledand loading of the trailer over the front end is desirable.

Referring particularly to the present invention, there is provided onthe usual load carrying or main frame I of the trailer, a supplementalframe 20', the frame 20 comp-risin longitudinal sills 2! with suitabletransverse bracing beams 22 distributed along the length of the sills 2iand connected thereto so as to provide a rigid load carrying structure.The supplemental frame is floored with a suitable planking whichprovides a load supporting deck 23. The upper surface of the deck 23 ofthe supplemental frame 20 preferably slopes downwardly at a slightincline, as indicated at 24, near its forward end for convenience inloading. Further, the supplemental frame 20 preferably terminates at itsforward end short of the forward end of the main load carrying frame Iso as to afford space for suitable blocking to continue the incline ofthe deck 23 down to the level of the load carrying frame i.

The supplemental frame is arranged so that its transverse beams 22 lieacross the sills 2 of the trailer, thus supporting the supplementalframe thereon in the normal lowered position of the supplemental frame.

It is to be noted that, in the form illustrated, the wheel carryingportion of the main frame I is raised slightly above the level of theremainder so as to accommodate larger wheels, suitable extension sills2a, forming extensions of the sills 2, being provided and that the reartransverse beam which rest on the extension sills 2a are of less depththan the beams which rest on the sills 2.

Referring next to the manner of connecting the supplemental frame 20 tothe main frame I, it is to be noted that for the heavy loads involved itis difficult to lift such a supplemental frame by a plurality ofdistributed extensible compression means while maintaining ithorizontal. To lift it by a single extensible compression means resultsin severe stresses from overbalance, overhang and resultant deflectionof the supplemental frame as a whole or in part. If it is attempted touse four such extensible compression means, arranged near the corners ofthe supplemental deck, it is very difficult to operate them so' as toeffect concurrently the same amount of extension and retraction of each.If equal movement of all four is not obtained, the frame 20 will rock inany guideways provided and thereby become jammed and inoperative. Inaccordance with the present invention therefore, a threepoint elevatingsupport for the supplemental deck is provided.

Referring particularly to Figs. 3 through 6', a suitable form ofthree-point elevating support is illustrated, the extensible compressionmeans used for this purpose being double acting, fluid pressure operatedpiston and cylinder assemblages, hydraulic fluid being preferred.

It is desirable that the three points at which the three-point supportengages the frame 20, be widely separated from each other and balancedin position relative to the central portion of the supplemental frame20. Likewise, it is desirable that the thrust transmitted from thesupplemental frame 20 through the extensible compression means to theload carrying frame I be applied ;to the load carrying frameadvantageously.

In, th form illustrated, these features are accomplished by arrangingextensible compression means near the lateral margins, respectively, ofthe supplemental frame 20 at a location aligned vertically with thewalking beam 5 of the main frame I so that thegreater portion of theweight 2',676,788 5 6 of the load can be applied most nearly directlystabilizing means for preventing movement of the to the wheels of thetrailer, and to provide ansupplemental frame 20 longitudinally of theload other extensible compression means near the forcarrying frame I maycomprise suitable rods 40 ward end of the supplemental frame 20 and loadarranged one near each margin of the supple- .carrying frame I. 5 mentalframe 20, alongside and near to the sills As shown, the extensiblecompression means 2!. Each rod 40 is connected at one end to the at therear lateral margins of the supplemental main frame I and at the otherend to the suppleframe 20 comprise reversible hydraulically opmentalframe 20. As best illustrated in Fig. 9, erated piston and cylinderassemblages 25, each the rod 40 is connected to the main frame byincluding a cylinder 26 anda piston 21. Mounted 10 means of a yoke 4 s cr d n h Stirrup near each end of the walking beam 5 are stirrups plate29, and a pivot 42. The rod 40 is pivotally 28, each of these stirrupsbeing in the form of connected at the other end by means of a pivotrelatively heavy plates 29 arranged forwardly and 43 to a suitabledepending gusset 44 on the longirearwardly from each other, as bestillustrated tudinal sill 2|. The rods 40 thus connected conin Figs. 5and 9. The plates 29 of each stirrup strain the supplemental frame frommovement are connected at their upper end to the walkforwardly andrearwardly relative to the main ing beams 5 so as to depend therefromand are frame I of the trailer during lifting and lowerlocated as nearas practical to the ends of the ing. The rods preferably are maderelatively walking beams. The cylinder 26 of each assemlong and thepivots 42 and 43 are positioned so blage is mounted in upright positionbetw en 20 that, when the supplemental frame 20 rests on the itsassociated plates 29, being connected thereto main frame, the pivot 43is substantially the same at its lower end by means of a pivot 3!!extending distance below a horizontal plane through the forwardly andrearwardly of the trailer. Conpivot 4| as it is above such plane whenthe exnected to each sill 2| of the supplemental frame tensiblecompression means are fully extended 23 are suitable gussets 3| to whichthe piston 2'! 25 and the supplemental deck is in fully elevated of theassociated assemblage 25 is connected by position. Thus the travel ofthe pivot 43 fora suitable pivot 32. The pivots and 32 of each wardlyand rearwardly of the trailer due to its assemblage are alignedvertically with each other. arcuate path about the pivot 42 isnegligible and At the forward portion of the main frame I, is taken upin elastic deformation of the various another extensible compressionmean 33 is pro- 30 parts of thestructure.

vided and comprises a reversible hydraulic pis- In order to constrainthe supplemental frame ton and cylinder assemblage, having a cylinder 25from movement transversely of the main frame 34 and piston 35. The mainframe I of the trailer a similar rod 45 is provided at the rear of theis provided with transverse beams 36 which extrailer. The rod 45 ispivotally connected by a tend between the longitudinal sills 2. Secured3 pivot 46 to the main frame I of the trailer, near to these beam 36 anddepending therefrom are one lateral margin. At the opposite side of theplates 31 which provide a stirrup for the forward r the supplem ntalframe is provided with assemblage 33. The cylinder 34 is connected at adepending gusset or yoke 41 to which the other its lower end to, andbetween, the plates 31 by end of the rod 45 is connected by means of apivot means of a pivot 38, the plates 3'! being so po- 43. In thisinstance, also, the pivots 46 and 4B sitioned that the cylinder isarranged at the transare preferably so positioned vertically that theverse midportion of the supplemental frame 20 pivot 48, in swingingabout the pivot 46, moves and main frame I. Mounted between thetransabout the same distance below a horizontal plane verse beams 24 ofthe supplemental frame and ough the pivot 46 as it does above the levelconnected thereto is a thrust plate 39 to which thereof as thesupplemental frame moves from the piston 35 is connected by means of apivot fully lowered to fully raised position. Thus the 35a. Thus, uponoperation of the assemblages migration or travel of the pivot 48 in adirec- 25 and 33, the supplemental frame 20 can be tion transversely ofthe trailer due to its swinging raised to a predetermined position andlowered in an are about the pivot 46 is limited to a ne so as to rest onthe main frame I of the trailer. 0 ligible amount.

As will later be explained, pressure fluid can While fluid pressure maybe supplied to the cylbe admitted to each of the assemblages 25 andtoinders from suitable means on the truck, it is prethe assemblage 33independently and in conferred to provide a power plant and a pump ontrolled amounts by suitable valves so that the the gooseneck forsupplying the hydraulic prespistons can be lifted or loweredsubstantially consure fluid. For this purpose, there is mounted oncurrently in equal increments regardless of the the gooseneck betweenthe lateral limits of the unbalanced condition of the load on the frame20. rear portion thereof a suitable pumping and valv- It is to he notedthat the assemblages 25 can ing mechanism, indicated generally at 50.This be rocked transversely of the trailer and the asmechanism comprisesa suitable gasoline motor semblage 33 can rock forwardly and rearwardly(5 5| connected to a suitable rotary pump 52 to which of the trailer.Thus the pistons and cylinderscan hydraulic fluid is supplied through apipe 53 adjust themselves to the slight changes in alignfrom a suitablereservoir. Leading from the disment that might be due to a slightdifference in charge side of the pump is a pipe 54 which leads theincrement of movement of the pistons relato a selective valve 55, thevalve 55 being contive to each other. However, since a three-point c5nected by a return pipe 56 to the supply reservoir support is provided,binding and jamming of the or sump. The usual surge reservoir 51 isconpistons due to tilting of the supplemental frame nected in the line54 for maintaining a more 20 is practically eliminated so long as thesupuniform delivery of hydraulic fluid under presplemental frame 20 iskept in proper alignment sure to the selective valve 55. The selectiveValve above the main frame I. head 55 is provided with a plurality ofvalves 58 In order to maintain the supplemental frame through 63,respectively. The valve 58 is con- 25 in proper alignment above the mainframe I nected to one of the assemblages 25, the valve 60 whileeliminating the possibilities of binding of is connected to the otherone of the assemblages any guide means used therefor, the stabilizing25, and the valve 59 connected to the assemblage means shown in thedrawings is preferred. 1 The 33. Each of the valve is operableindependently and selectively to connect the line 54 to either side ofthe piston of its assemblage for supplying pressure fluid thereto, todisconnect the line 54 from its assemblage and stop the flow to or fromthe assemblage, and to disconnect the pipe 54 from its assemblage andconnect its assemblage to the return line 56. Correspondingly, thevalves GI and G2 are connected one to each of the asse'mblies [2 so asto operate in a, like manner. The valve 63 is connected to the assemblyl6 and also operates in a like manner. Thus each assemblage can becontrolled, independently, so as to be extended, retracted,'orhydraulically locked in any selected position.

Suitable pipes t l, and B B connect the valves BI, 62 and $3 to theirrespective assemblages, these connections being permanent. However,since the gooseneck 3 is often removed from the front of the trailerframe I and moved to one side so as to make possible the loading of thetrailer over the front end, the valves 58, 59 and 60 are preferablyconnected to their assemblages by means of flexible hoses ill, 63 andE9, respectively. These hoses are provided with the well known quickmaize and break connectors "H3, 1i and 12 which are arranged not only tomake and break very quickly the connection between the portions of thehose in which used, but also to seal the pressure side of the line toprevent leakage of the pressure fluid when the connection is broken.

In operation, therefore, all that is necessary is to back the trailerinto the position required and, while the main frame 1 is maintained ina horizontal position by blocking or attachment to the tractor, tooperate the valves so as to lift the supplemental frame 26 with the loadthereon a substantially equal amount concurrently by each cylinder, theframe being maintained in proper position parallel to the plane of theframe I by means of the rods "ill and 45. Since three extensiblecompression means only are provided, the supplemental frame can bemaintained horizontal very readily without danger of binding due tooverbalances of the load and, if any slight warpage and deflection doesoccur, it will not interfere with operation or the extensiblecompression means.

It-is to be noted that additional stabilizing rods such as 40 and 45 maybe used if desired but generally a single rod at the rear of the frameand one at each side are sufficient.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a trailer including a main frame, a walking beam extendingtransversely of, and substantially to the lateral limits of, the mainframe, wheels connected to the walking beam, a weight supportingsupplemental frame normally resting on the main frame and supportedthereby, dependent stirrups on the ends of the beam, respectively,generally upright piston and cylinder assemblages at opposite ends ofthe beam, respectively, each assemblage being connected at its lower endto its associated stirrup and at its upper end to the supplementalframe, a third generally upright piston and cylinder assemblageconnected at one end to the main frame and at the other end to thesupplemental frame and positioned near the front of the supplementalframe, and valve means connected to the cylinders, respectively, andoperable independently of each other, each for controlling the admissionto, and discharge from, its associated assemblage, of pressure fluid.

2. In a trailer including a main frame,supporting wheels near the rearend of the main frame, and means to support the other end of the mainframe, a rigid weight supporting supplemental frame carried by, andoverlying, the main frame and movable relative thereto from a lowered toa raised position, three power operated hoists interposed in compressionbetween the frames and interconnecting the frames at widely separatedlocations with respect to each other and providing a threepointelevating support for the supplemental frame and operable to raise andlower the said supplemental frame relative to the main frame, guidemeans interconnecting the frames and operable to constrain thesupplemental frame to a predetermined path of movement during raisingand lowering of the supplemental frame by the power operated hoists, twoof said hoists being located near one end of the supplemental frame, onenear each lateral limit thereof, and the other of said hoists beinglocated near the other end of the supplemental frame near the lateralmid-portion thereof, each of said hoists being a fluid pressure operatedpiston and cylinder assemblage, individual valve means for theassemblages, respectively, and each valve means being operativeindependently of the others to control the admission and discharge ofpressure fluid to its associated cylinder.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,382,323 Stone June 21, 1921 2,367,817 Brown Jan. 23, 19452,369,838 Minnis Feb. 20, 1945 2,389,211 Pointer Nov. 20, 1945 2,443,611Ferguson June 22, 1948 2,571,213 Cunningham et a1. Oct. 16, 19512,590,210 Rogers Mar. 25, 1952 2,593,465 Le Tourneau Apr. 22, 1952FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 417,112 Great Britain Sept. 27, 193%

